Lao Buddhist Center Northwest

About

The Organization

The Lao Buddhist Center Northwest (LBCN) is a religious, educational and public non-profit organization formed under Oregon law. LBCN, as an umbrella for Wat Xao Phout Lao (the Temple) and Lao Community Center, serves the religious and social needs of the Oregon and Washington Lao Buddhist Community. Our 50 family-members (founders) purchased the property at 17676 SE Foster Road, Gresham, Oregon in June 2010 to serve the religious, cultural and social needs of the Lao Buddhist community in Portland and its vicinity in the Northwestern region of Oregon and Southern Washington.

Goals

The main purpose of LBCN is to be the place to assemble among all Lao descents including Buddhist monks, elderly and youths.

It is also a community center for groups of elder and younger generations to collaborate as a support network in deeds and in moral, emotional engagement for mutual support and sharing among all Buddhist followers.
Leadership & Membership

The five members of the Board of Directors are elected by general membership. The board appoints the Executive team to manage the operation of LBCN. Supporters and staff roster, the Sangha and Sarawat is posted here.

Members are actively contributing to the development and sustainability of LBCN and Wat Xao Phout Lao. The monthly contributing members (2013 & 2014)are recognized for their ongoing financial support.

Community & Religious Function

Wat Xao Phout Lao serves as a place for model practices in Dharma and in moral and social cohesive cooperative networks among Lao members and all Buddhists. It is a place for spiritual refuge for those who seek to improve and enhance quality of life and community living. Members can participate in religious practice according to the teaching of Buddha by observing ethical codes of conduct in thoughts, behavior and speech based on the basic tenets of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Paths. The devout practitioners engaging in more monastic traditions attend a course of Dharma studies and insight meditation practice during week days and general community service and worshipping in the weekend. General supporters and Buddhist observers attend religious and Lao traditional festivities periodically and monthly events. They take parts in the celebration of social customs, ceremonial public services at the temple such as Lao New Year, Chinese, Vietnamese New Year. In some cases they collaborate family sponsored activities for memorial service, wedding reception and community recognition ceremony for high school graduation.